by T J Green
Alex twisted in his seat slightly, still watching the road. “So, this challenge. What is it, where does it happen?”
“Castlerigg Stone Circle. Anyone can challenge the leader—the Alpha—but most don’t unless something really bad is happening. The Alpha is strong, and brings stability.”
Avery frowned. “So how long has Cooper been the Alpha?”
“Just under a year. He succeeded his father.”
“Is that normal?”
Josh glanced at Piper nervously. “Not really. Normally, the strongest succeeds. When an old leader grows too weak, others challenge him. But there hasn’t been a real challenge for hundreds of years. It was a line of succession.”
“Why?” Avery asked, sensing something suspicious.
Piper answered, her tone dry. “The Dacres are a very rich family. They have power and influence and like to maintain leadership. They fight dirty and have the Devices on their side, and to be honest, many other members, too. They take care of us if we take care of them. Unfortunately, laying claim to Holly was one step too far. To take them on is huge. Hunter didn’t care about that.”
Avery was struggling to understand. “So, Holly marrying Cooper is politically motivated. But why her? If they’re so rich, what makes her special?”
“Because we are one of the oldest families, and have a strong line of Shifters. Alphas have come from our family in the past. It’s believed that we will create other strong Shifters. Plus, when two Shifters mate, their children are always Shifters, too. Cooper wants Shifter kids. He has no brothers or sisters. He needs an heir if his family is to continue to be the Alpha.”
“You said other women would like that chance, so why not choose them?”
“Because there aren’t many Shifter women, that’s why,” Josh said. “Shifters are more likely to be male.”
Piper smiled softly. “We’re rare, and therefore precious.”
Avery exhaled heavily, “Wow. That’s mad. What a weird life.”
“Any weirder than yours?” Piper asked, narrowing her eyes.
“Yes! I don’t get married off to some witch just because I’m a female with a strong lineage, for breeding purposes!”
“And,” Alex added, “witches are pretty much an even split of male and female, despite the popular image being that witches are women.”
Avery thought for a moment. “Are there other Shifter communities across the country?”
“Sure,” Josh answered. “Many farther north than us, especially in Scotland. There is some movement between packs, but it’s not common. Newcomers bring challenges.”
“And new packs?”
“Happen rarely,” he said. “Unless you can persuade some members to leave together. They have to be really unhappy to do that. It means moving to a completely new area.”
“So Hunter has to win, or what would happen?”
“Everything we said,” Piper explained. “Holly will marry Cooper, and essentially Hunter has to swear fealty to him.”
“But I don’t think he will,” Josh added, worried. “He’d rather die first.”
“And Cooper would be only too pleased to see that happen,” Piper said, and then turned and looked out of the window.
“And Holly?” Avery asked. “She wouldn’t refuse Cooper?”
“Like we said. He’s powerful. He influences businesses and the locals. One word from him and our business could fold. We’d become virtual outsiders in our own community, and our income would be gone. We’d have to leave and start again. Our whole lives are there—friends, work, our home. Holly knows what the consequences would be.”
“So she’d essentially sacrifice herself for all of you,” Avery said, not sure whether to admire Holly’s decision or not.
“Yep,” Josh said, looking uncomfortable.
Alex sounded incredulous as he put in, “You know that life elsewhere would be fine. You’d start again. So what?”
Josh looked at him sharply. “Would you?”
“If it meant saving Avery, or anyone else I loved from that, of course I would.”
Avery blinked in shock. Loved? Was that meant for her? Did he love her? They’d never had that conversation. Did she love him? She looked at him for a moment, meeting his eyes in the rear-view mirror. Yes, of course she did.
She dragged her gaze away and turned back to Josh. “Would you challenge?”
“I’m tempted, but I know my limits. I’m not as strong as Hunter or Cooper.”
Alex glanced at him. “You must have good friends—other Shifters who would support you.”
Josh nodded. “Yes, we do. I phoned them early this morning. We have a couple of families who are really sympathetic to us, and are willing to help us discretely, but no one who would put their life on the line. I’ve asked them to tell us if they hear anything about a meet. They agree with me. It will happen tonight, but there’s no word yet.”
“We need to meet them, before the challenge. There must be a way of trying to get them to help you,” Alex said, insistent.
Josh rounded on him, annoyed. “How? We can’t guarantee we’ll win. I keep telling you, and you’re not listening. We don’t have that kind of support or leverage! We are completely screwed!” Josh’s eyes had taken on a frightening yellow ring that looked like fire around his pupils, and they could hear a small snarl in the back of his throat. Piper shot upright, out of her relaxed slump on the backseat, and Avery felt a tingle in her palms as she summoned her magic.
“Calm the fuck down, Josh. It’s just a question—I'm trying to help!” Alex yelled back.
Piper reached forward a hand and laid it on Josh’s arm. “Josh, please.”
He took a deep breath and looked away, out of the window, and Avery felt the tension subside.
“Tell me about the Devices,” Avery said, hoping to find other avenues to help. “Everything. What are their motivations, weaknesses, roles in the community?”
Piper spoke up first. “Like the Dacres, they’re rich. Big house, good community standing, own many local businesses.”
Alex snorted. “No wonder they reached out to Caspian. Their families sound similar.”
“Why do they care if Cooper loses?” Avery asked.
“They know that other pack members would rather keep our lives more independent, away from the influence of the Devices. They would lose their power over us.”
“Does that matter?” Avery asked, incredulous.
“It does to them.”
“And does anyone know of their links to the Pendle witches of the sixteenth century?”
“Maybe a few locals make the connection, but no one would believe they’re witches,” Josh said, turning around. Avery was relieved to see that his eyes had returned to their normal colour. “Same as you and your ancestor, Helena.”
Avery looked at him, astonished. “How do you know about that?”
“Briar told us. We were asking about all of you and your history. She explained the mysterious cloud of power above White Haven. That’s what drew us to you.”
Avery thought for a moment, watching the countryside streak by. They were on the A30, passing through the rugged beauty of Bodmin Moor, looking more brooding than usual under the grey overcast conditions.
She exchanged a worried glance with Alex in the rear-view mirror, and she knew exactly what he was thinking. How would the Devices interfere, and what could they do to stop them?
“How many Devices are there?” she asked abruptly.
“Alice, her daughter, Rose, and Rose’s two children, who are both younger than me, and Jeremy and his children. I don’t think Alice’s grandchildren will interfere, just Jeremy and Rose.”
Avery realised she had no idea how they’d captured the others the night before, so she asked now, feeling it would help her understand how they fought.
“They knocked on the door like civilised people,” Piper said. “It was nine at night. Hunter answered, and they said they wanted to talk, that they understood we were
under your Sanctuary, but they needed to discuss terms. He was suspicious, but let them in.”
Josh continued. “We were in the lounge, and we came to the door to see what was happening. As they entered, Jeremy did something—released something from his hands.”
“Yeah, it was like this little cloud of blackness,” Piper said, struggling to articulate what it was. “But it rushed across to us like a mini whirlwind, and that’s all I remember.”
Avery frowned. “You passed out?”
“Yep,” Josh said. “When we woke up, it was three in the morning, and we were freezing our asses off on the floor. Hunter and Holly had gone.”
“You’re sure they’d have headed back home?” Alex asked.
“Yes. They’ll have either gone to Cooper’s house or their own place.”
“So, if they’ve travelled all night, they’ll be there by now,” Avery said. It was about seven hours to Cumbria, give or take some time for stops and traffic.
“They won’t want to waste any more time,” Alex said. “They know you’ll follow. Can this fight happen in the day?”
“No.” Josh shook his head. “All challenges take place at midnight, in the open, at Castlerigg Stone Circle.”
“Are you sure?” Avery asked.
“Always,” Piper agreed. “It’s sacred ground, our spiritual home.”
Piper was looking tired, and the shadows under eyes were darkening. Her normal retreat into snark had gone, and instead she looked defeated as she leaned back against the seat and closed her eyes.
Avery fell silent, trying to come up with a plan, which she decided was virtually impossible without knowing how the night would unfold. She thought of El’s sword in the back of the car, and was glad they’d brought it with them. Tonight could get very ugly.
16
Avery took over the driving from Alex just before Birmingham, negotiating the horrible M5/M6 interchange on the way to the north, and the traffic was horrendous, slowing their progress to a crawl in places. They’d finally had a call from Josh’s friend mid-morning, who confirmed the challenge was to take place that night, but there was no other news. While Avery drove, Josh and Piper slept in the back of the car; they would all need their strength for the night ahead.
Josh drove the last two hours of the journey, and they finally exited the M6 and followed the A590 and then the A591 to Ambleside. Josh was navigating them to the Devices house, where they hoped to see Hunter and Holly.
“I doubt they’ll be there,” Alex said. “They’ll have hidden them somewhere. They must know we’d look for them. Or at least you would.” He grinned suddenly. “They must have hoped that damaging your Volvo would have stopped you. Idiots.”
“Agreed,” Josh said. “They will hide them before taking them to Castlerigg. They won’t risk the challenge being stopped now. Once there, the pack will ensure it happens.”
“Will they?” Avery asked. “Why?”
“A challenge leaves uncertainty. No one wants that.”
Avery shook her head, perplexed. If some of them wanted change, surely they should support Hunter. Many were obviously scared of Cooper and his supporters. Avery already hated him. He sounded like a bully.
The Devices lived on the outskirts of Ambleside, a popular tourist town in the centre of the Lake District at the head of Lake Windermere, surrounded by rugged hills and tumbling streams. As they passed the lake, it was dusk and they again hit traffic. Avery checked her watch, worried. It was nearly six. Traffic, road works, and a couple of stops had delayed them all along the way, and who knows what might delay them further here.
They wound down narrow lanes, but because of the encroaching night, Avery caught only a glimpse of the wild beauty of the landscape, though she couldn’t help but get lost in the view. It was wilder than Cornwall and the perfect place for wolves to roam free, unseen and unheard. By the time they got to Ambleside, their surroundings were lost in darkness, but the town looked quaint with its winding streets of grey stone buildings, and the bright yellow of street lights illuminating shops and pubs. Any other time Avery would have loved to wonder the streets and explore, but there was no time for that now.
The Devices’ house was a large stone building, set at the bottom of a hill. It had a long drive, which offered only a peek at the house, and for added privacy, it was surrounded by a large, walled garden offering glimpses of mature trees and shrubs.
Josh parked at the side of the road and turned to the others. “At least the darkness will offer us some cover. Once we slip into the grounds, me and Piper will change and head to the house as wolves. Maybe you should wait here until we give you the all clear?”
Alex looked incredulous. “No way. They’re witches and are obviously quite happy to use their power against you. We’re coming.”
“Agreed,” Avery said, reaching for the door handle. “We should check for magical traps and protection spells.”
They exited the car and Avery shivered as she pulled her jacket on, thankful she’d borrowed El’s heavy parka. It was cold, almost icy, with the wind bringing a chill from the mountains. She reached into the boot for El’s sword. “Do you want it, Alex?”
He shook his head. “No, you use it better than me. But stay close.”
The lane they were on was deserted, and Alex and Avery stood at the bottom of the drive, feeling for magic. “Nothing yet,” Alex declared.
“Same.” Avery looked at Josh and Piper, who were clearly itching to go. “Be careful!”
They nodded and slipped into the shrubs at the edge of the drive, shedding their clothes quickly and then shifting effortlessly into two beautiful wolves, Piper slightly smaller than Josh. In seconds, they had gone.
Alex followed their path into the shrubs, and Avery followed him. They edged their way up to the house, warily feeling their way, and slapping small branches aside. The wolves had disappeared.
“I don’t like this,” Alex whispered. “It’s too quiet.”
“The grounds are big. They’ll have more protection closer to the house," Avery reasoned.
Her breath escaped in white clouds, and she wished she’d brought her gloves with her. Avery whispered a small warming spell, and felt her coat start to heat. She’d learnt that one from Eve, the witch from St Ives. Thank the gods for weather witches.
The attack was unexpected—the Devices had hidden it well.
As they came in sight of the house, a wall of darkness shot up from the ground, enveloping them completely. It felt sticky and cloying, and Avery quickly became disorientated. She dropped to her knees, pleased to feel the damp ground beneath her. She flared a light into her hands, but the blackness swallowed it. She couldn’t feel Alex at all.
Shit!
She cried out, “Alex!”
Silence.
She tried again, this time grounding herself completely with the earth. She pulled its power into her hands and cast a lightning bolt ahead of her, hoping Alex was still to her left. The smell of magic and ozone was overpowering, but the oily darkness receded slightly.
She inwardly smacked herself. The air was still and heavy; what she needed was wind. She created a mini tornado, drawing the oily darkness into its centre. Within a few seconds it lifted and she sent the tornado away to the far side of the garden.
She turned to where Alex had stood only moments earlier, but he was gone.
For a second Avery panicked, and then she took a deep breath. Smoke and mirrors. He was here somewhere.
A wolf’s howl broke the silence over to her right. After one final look for Alex, she turned, heading towards the sound.
A second howl followed the first, and her skin prickled. It was tempting to run, but that would be too dangerous. She broke free of the shrubs and the house appeared in front of her, on the other side of a lawn and large flowerbeds.
No one was in sight. She headed to the right, towards the sounds of the howl. There was another, much closer, and the large shape of a wolf came into view, its lips drawn back
to reveal large teeth, a snarl building in the back of its throat.
It was Josh, she was sure. He had dark brown fur with a white stripe down his nose, she’d noticed when he’d changed, and he was bigger than Piper.
But something was wrong.
He advanced towards her as if he didn’t know her, and Avery fell back into the shadows, watching him. She raised her hands just as he sprang at her, covering meters of ground in mere seconds. She sent a blast of energy at him and it struck him in the chest.
He rolled away, stunned, but quickly regained his footing. He howled again and Avery’s blood curdled. She’d always wondered where that expression came from, and now she knew. A wolf’s howl was terrifying.
He launched across the small space between them again and she struck, too, desperately not wanting to hurt him, but aware that one wrong move on her part would see her throat ripped out.
She was too slow. His paws landed on her chest, throwing her to the floor, and she was winded, crying out in pain as her injured ribs screamed in protest. Shocked, she struck out, sending out a wave of power so strong that it lifted him into the air and threw him back against a tree.
She staggered to her feet, ready to fight again. But then he looked at her, shaking his big, shaggy head with confusion, and she saw recognition flash into his eyes.
He bowed his head, whimpered, and then shifted. The very human Josh shivered and curled into a foetal position, and Avery ran over.
“I’m so sorry. Are you okay?”
He nodded. “I just need a minute. I don’t know what came over me. I didn’t recognise you at all. You were just someone—an enemy.”
“Some weird spell. I plunged into one, too and have lost Alex.”
Just then, another howl sounded behind the house.
“Time to go,” Josh said. “Stay close.”
He changed again, rose to his feet, and loped off around the house, Avery jogging to keep up.
The house was in complete darkness. There was no way anyone was here. These traps were to confuse and delay them, and they were working.
